Howard A. Kuhns

HOWARD A. KUHNS, 73, of Arthur, IL passed away at home on Thursday, July 23, 2026. He was born on August 15, 1952 to the late Abe and Lovina (Kaufman) Kuhns. He married Edith Miller in Kalona, IA on 3-3-1973 (a date he enjoyed pointing out to others) and they were blessed with 53 years together. In January 2024 his life was greatly altered by a series of strokes which left him in the care of his wife and family for the ensuing years.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24 from 5 to 8 pm and Saturday, July 25 from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at Pleasant View School, 184N County Rd 300E, Arcola, IL. Funeral will be held at the school on Sunday July 26 at 10 am. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Church Cemetery.

In addition to his wife Edith, Howard is survived by his eight children: Brenda Kuhns of Arthur, IL; Tim Kuhns & wife Joan of Arcola, IL; Ben Kuhns & wife Amanda of Arcola, IL; Vernon Kuhns & wife Christina of Lovington, IL; Monica Swenny & husband Roger of Pana, IL; Audrey Kreider & husband Dan of Arcola, IL; Adrian Kuhns & wife Kara of Columbus, OH; and Anthony Kuhns & wife Claire of Sibley, IL; and 18 precious grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Dan Kuhns & wife Marie of Arthur, IL; Eldon Kuhns & wife Ruth of Mulkeytown, IL; Phil Kuhns of Westmoreland, TN; Lois Lewis of Westmoreland, TN; Elmer Kuhns & wife Mary of Auburn, KY; Clara Yoder & husband Tim of Auburn, KY; stepmother Dorothy Kuhns of Auburn, KY; and brother-in-law Darrel Miller of Lott, TX. Preceding him in death were his parents Abe & Lovina Kuhns, brothers Vernon Kuhns and Timothy Kuhns (stillborn), sister Mary Miller, and granddaughter Nevaeh Kreider (stillborn).

Howard was a member at Pleasant View Church of Arcola and was ordained as a minister in 1980. He preached many sermons the next 42 years and served as Bishop for 31 of those years. Digging into God’s Word, encouraging “the flock of God”, and faithful church attendance were life patterns that he held closely. Congregational singing has not been quite the same for several years since his resounding bass voice was unable to participate, but his love for good singing is a legacy that various of his children & grandchildren treasure and endeavor to pass on.

At age 15 Howard became involved as a partsman with his dad’s business, Kuhns Equipment in Arthur, over time becoming the general manager & owner. He found fulfillment not only in selling tractors and combines while working closely with his children, dad & brother for many years, but also in meeting the needs of farmer customers near & far. His employees felt valued, from the experienced mechanics down to the custodian. Frequently in more recent years he did step out of the office and take a broom in his own hands in order to reap the two-fold benefit of some exercise and the satisfaction of a cleaner floor.

Howard was not a man with many hobbies beyond things pertaining to his responsibilities and his sphere of influence. His children and grandchildren fondly recall Sunday afternoon games of his favorite ‘Mexican Train’ dominos, and he enjoyed providing a strong challenge in games of Ping Pong. He had a knack for understanding genealogy and figuring out how “so and so” were related to each other. He put a priority on attending reunions of extended family on both his side and his wife’s, and he continually valued friendships with a number of men who had been in 1-W service with him prior to marriage. For 40 years, attending the annual Beachy Ministers Meetings was a top priority of him & Edith as a couple, and there they received spiritual enrichment as well as encouraging fellowship with other couples who had accepted a similar calling to serve their congregations.

Howard’s family never questioned his devotion and love for them or for his Lord & Savior. A phrase he would tell other fathers: “the best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother”, and he demonstrated this personally to Edith. His fatherly advice and generosity will be missed by his “two and a half dozen” children and his grandchildren. In later years he typically closed his family gathering prayers with, “May we all be together in Glory, without the loss of one.” In those words he revealed the truest treasures of his heart.